TAMPA-- Tuesday marks the one-month anniversary of USF's last victory. The team's bowl projections and body language have become equally bothersome. Twitter discussions about Bulls coaches have reached alarming levels of toxicity.

"We just haven't put together a complete game in all three phases," coach Charlie Strong said Monday, repeating what has become a tagline for the season.

Yet despite the on-field mediocrity and off-field vitriol, an opportunity remains for these Bulls (7-4, 3-4) to become memorable, historic, perhaps even endearing.

A triumph Friday against No. 8 UCF (10-0, 7-0) would afford them such status, and salvage an otherwise dreary season.

In a year when they failed to snag that elusive first conference title or secure a bowl trip anywhere near New Year's Day, the Bulls still can notch what would go down as arguably the biggest win in program history.

"This game means everything," said cornerback Mazzi Wilkins, a Plant High alumnus and one of 18 seniors who will be recognized Friday.

"We have very high expectations for ourselves, so I don't know if it can completely (save the year), but it would definitely heal a lot of the wounds that happened. It would make us feel a little bit better about ourselves."

Wilkins is downplaying the euphoria a win Friday would elicit. A little bit better? Imagine the spontaneous celebration that would ensue on the Raymond James Stadium field if USF were to prevail. Imagine the radiance emitting from players' faces as they hoist the "War on I-4" trophy. Imagine the media buzz.

If it could snap UCF's 23-game streak, USF would momentarily become a national darling, days after ESPN and College GameDay spent a weekend fawning over the Knights.

"It would mean a lot, especially for this program," senior defensive end Josh Black said. "Just to come mess up their season, put a nice little cap on our season."

Of course, bringing that scenario to fruition likely will require more than a complete game. It may call for a perfect one.

Notoriously slow starters for most of the season, the Bulls must seize early momentum (see Tyre McCants vs. UCF, 2017). Offensively, they must be diverse and consistent, especially on first down.

And they absolutely, positively can't give up explosive plays (of 20 or more yards) to a team that averages nearly nine of them per contest.

"It's a lot of home run balls for them," Strong said. "We can't allow them to take the ball and pitch it over our head for 60- and 70-yard plays."

To be sure, the prerequisites are many. But the payoff would be enormous. Instead of ending a season demoralized, these Bulls in a sense could be immortalized.

"I know personally with myself, I was a little disappointed (with the season)," Wilkins said. "But I know this game would definitely make it better, and I know it would make my brothers feel happy as well."

The breakdown: Even the most devout Bulls fan must admire (through clenched teeth) the Knights' virtually seamless transition from Scott Frost to Heupel, who has helped extend the program's win streak to 23 games. UCF's yardage per play (7.02) is only slightly lower than its 2017 average (7.46). Like his predecessor, Heupel has preserved UCF's blistering tempo and spread the field sufficiently to get the ball to his sleek playmakers in space. The other common denominator is Milton, a fringe Heisman candidate responsible for 33 touchdowns. Though his total yardage per game (318.7) is off a bit from last season (357.7), he's still just as undefeated. Junior Adrian Killins (5-foot-8, 164 pounds) remains the nation's most dangerous scatback (1,212 all-purpose yards), and Ole Miss transfer Tre Nixon (37 catches, 530 yards, four TDs) has added to the embarrassment of riches at receiver. Defensively, the Knights had their best overall performance against Cincinnati, holding the Bearcats to one touchdown and sacking QB Desmond Ridder four times. Now in a 4-3 alignment under first-year coordinator Randy Shannon, they've been vulnerable at times (see Temple) but remain as opportunistic as ever. Their plus-1.6 turnover margin remains the AAC's best. Senior Pat Jasinski (55 tackles, two forced fumbles) remains an Auggie Sanchez-type anchor at middle linebacker, and senior DE Titus Davis had three of his six sacks against Cincy. In the back end, FS Richie Grant is having a career season (team-best 91 tackles, four INTs).

Odds-&amp; ends: The Knights have scored 30 or more points in 23 consecutive games. If they do it again Friday, they tie USF (2015-17) for the longest such streak in the AP Poll era (since 1936). ... UCF has outscored its opponents 101-23 in the third period. By contrast, USF has been outscored 38-13 in the same quarter over its last three games. ... Nine Knights hail from the bay area, but S Kyle Gibson (Armwood) is the only one listed on UCF's two-deep chart.

Audible: "This is the most unique story in college football in my opinion, because it's in the thrust of of continuing to build what it's going to be. Blue-blood programs were built in the '30s and '40s and '50s. We're right in the midst of what's going on here."-- Heupel (following the Cincinnati win)

Before an announced Yuengling Center crowd of 2,804, Ferreira led an ensemble effort that included three other double-figure scorers.

Among them was junior forward Alyssa Rader, who notched her second career double-double (16 points, 11 rebounds). For the game, USF went 13-for-27 from 3-point range, with Ferreira (a career 29.4-percent 3-point shooter) going 8-for-11.

"Laura's coming off a 21-point game (vs. Albany) and 19-point game (vs. BCU), but tonight was special," Fernandez said. "We're gonna win a lot of games if she does that every night."

OU broke out to a 14-5 lead as the Bulls (4-0) committed three turnovers in the game's first three minutes, but the Bulls responded with an 11-0 run, hitting three of four 3-pointers.

They led by four entering the final quarter, but went on a 12-2 surge to open the period, with Rader totaling six points and two rebounds during that stretch.

"It's incredibly hard to lose such an amazing player like (Laksa)," Rader said. "But I think that just gives opportunities for all of us to collectively come together and show everyone else we're still a team to beat."

ORLANDO-- In the wake of Saturday night's nationally showcased 38-13 romp of Cincinnati, the War on I-4 has taken on a slightly different dynamic for UCF.

Suddenly, the rivalry game seems more like a trap game.

"Just keep the same mantra that we've been doing since Coach (Josh) Heupel stepped on campus," Knights tailback Adrian Killins said. "Just going 1-0 each and every week and taking it day by day, and not taking any day for granted."

Not exactly rivalry rhetoric.

Sandwiched between Saturday's drubbing at Spectrum Stadium and the Dec. 1 American Athletic Conference title game (also on the Knights' home turf) is a little business Friday at 4:15 p.m. at Raymond James Stadium.

And while pride-- not to mention a 23-game win streak-- will be on the line for 11th-ranked UCF (10-0, 7-0) when it meets the Bulls, not much else will. Perhaps that will benefit USF (7-4, 3-4), which needs every advantage it can muster against the polarizing steamroller coming from the east.

And is it ever rolling.

"You've got to measure yourself against the best, and they were the best tonight," Cincinnati coach Luke Fickell said. "And they were the best that we've seen."

On senior night, before an ABC audience and the second-largest crowd in Spectrum Stadium history (47,795), the Knights brought the juice in all three phases. In six days, on the road against a reeling rival, they must squeeze out a little more.

To be sure, Friday's game certainly won't come with the buildup of the Cincy contest, where ESPN's College GameDay provided the prelude, setting up shop in the belly of UCF's campus with an estimated 20,000 fans serving as the backdrop.

"You dream that as a little kid," Knights senior defensive tackle Joey Connors said. "You turn the TV on and seeing (GameDay) is in Orlando, on UCF's campus, on Memory Mall-- that was unreal.

Similarly, the Knights-Bulls tussle won't have the championship implications of the AAC title match (against either Houston or Memphis).

Human nature says a letdown in between is inevitable. The Bulls can only hope that's the case. Otherwise, they could be in for a bleak Friday against the Knights offense, which arrived fashionably late Saturday before churning out 402 yards.

With future NFL employee McKenzie Milton (13-for-25, 268 yards, three touchdowns) controlling the throttle, the Knights stretched the field and dictated the pace. Facing a defense ranked in the top 15 nationally in five major categories, their receivers raced behind defenders and routinely found pockets of space in seams.

All after spotting the Bearcats a touchdown.

"I think it took a series or two to get my feet settled," said Milton, who graded his night a B or C-plus. "There was a lot of energy in the stadium tonight. Very thankful to the Knight Nation, sold-out crowd, it was electric. I thought I missed some things."

On Milton's first play of the night, he was blindsided by Cincy linebacker Malik Clements and fumbled in his end zone, giving the Bearcats a 6-0 lead. On UCF's second possession, Milton was sacked on third down, resulting in a three-and-out.

But before you could say Colley Matrix, the Knights found their lethal offensive rhythm, scoring on three of their next four possessions with one-dimensional aplomb. At halftime, UCF had 8 rushing yards and had possessed the ball for all of 8:31, but led 21-6.

Meantime, the Knights' defense, exploited at times this year, kept Cincinnati's offense out of the end zone for nearly 3 1/2 quarters. Senior Pat Jasinski provided the definitive highlight clip, forcing a fumble with a crushing (and almost targeting) shot to quarterback Desmond Ridder's solar plexus.

Additionally, freshman Randy Charlton stuffed Bearcats running back Tavion Thomas on fourth-and-1 at midfield in the third quarter, while senior Titus Davis registered three sacks.

"I thought defensively, a dominating performance," Heupel said. "They kept us in the ball game early while offensively we got our footing."

Afterward, the Knights were presented the East Division trophy by AAC commissioner Mike Aresco in an abbreviated locker-room celebration, before dispersing.

With more business at hand, one can't afford to get trapped in euphoria. But the Bulls sure wish they would.

"They want our heads and we want theirs too," Killins said. "So may the best team win."

Despite the Bulls' defense answering the call, the offense and special teams failed to respond as the Owls reeled off 27 unanswered points in the second half, storming back for a 27-17 win Saturday at Lincoln Financial Field.

Special teams mistakes and a stagnant offense cost the Bulls (7-4, 3-4 American Athletic Conference) in the second half. Immediately after allowing a 73-yard punt return for a touchdown to Temple receiver Isaiah Wright, they gave up an onside kick at midfield.

"It's one of those games where it's almost like you gave it away," coach Charlie Strong said. "We never moved the ball, we never sustained drives and didn't score any points."

The Bulls entered the game 121st in Division I-A against the run, allowing nearly 250 yards a game, but managed to contain Temple - led by star running back Ryquell Armstead - to 74 yards on the day.

But Temple used quarterback Anthony Russo's chunk passes, and Armstead's short-yardage power, to mount a comeback.

USF quarterback Blake Barnett was questionable going into the game with a shoulder injury, and finished 14-of-23 for 82 yards with two interceptions and two fumbles, one leading to a turnover. The Owls stifled all nine second-half USF drives.

"It's really hard for me to not put that all on myself," Barnett said. "You can't have turnovers like that, gotta play better. I have to take it as a lesson."

The last time USF lost four straight was in Willie Taggart's inaugural season in 2013, when they went 2-10.

Jordan Cronkrite broke the 1,000-yard rushing mark for the season with a 49-yard run on the Bulls' first drive. He became the fifth player to do so. He tallied 83 yards on 17 carries and scored two touchdowns.

"It's bittersweet," the junior said. "A lot of my role models, they've done it numerous times and that's a great feeling. But it's bittersweet right now."

Both teams committed to the running game in the first half, but only the Bulls found success, managing 140 yards at halftime, while holding Armstead to 34. Armstead has been battling an ankle injury for several weeks, but rushed for 210 yards and six touchdowns last week in a 59-49 win against Houston.

But the improved rushing defense didn't stop the momentum shift.

"Our attention to detail (changed)," said USF defensive back Ronnie Hoggins, who had an interception. "We missed a lot of tackles in the second half."

Tight end Mitchell Wilcox left the game with an ankle injury in the first half and didn't return.

"It hurts when you lose him because he's so valuable to the offense," Strong said. "But we still have other players out there who can make plays and we just didn't make any."

The Bulls face UCF in the War on I-4 Friday at home.

"We've got our rival, the team out East next, so we have to move on and get on to the next one," Hoggins said.

"Love Duran, I was really proud of him," RB Jordan Cronkrite said. "It's nice having him out there. Less of a burden on my body as well."

Bell is a former Hillsborough High star. He rushed for 1,801 yards and 21 touchdowns in his prep career, totaling 2,189 all-purpose yards.

"Duran came in there and he played well for us," QB Blake Barnett said. "In the time he was in there he played really well and was explosive."

Looking ahead to the War on I-4

The Bulls will finish their season with a rivalry game against UCF. Barnett sees it as an opportunity to finish the tumbling season on the right note.

"We've got a big preparation week coming up for this game to try to finish our season strong," Barnett said. "This isn't the way we want to send our seniors out, so we've got to prepare and make the most of the situation."

Silver lining

Cronkrite became the fifth player in USF history to rush for 1,000 yards in a season with his 49-yard run in the first quarter.

It's the ninth time the feat has been reached, and the Bulls have had 1,000-yard rushers for five straight seasons, the longest streak in program history.

"The kid worked his butt off," Barnett said. "He's a great teammate and a great player."

Even as his team drifts closer to the nether region of the bowl landscape, USF receiver Stanley Clerveaux is in a really good place. In a year of swooning, he's smiling. The season is going to pieces, but for a change, Clerveaux isn't.

"Yeah man, it's awesome," he said recently.

Don't begrudge him. While a bright disposition amid a three-game skid may be bad optics, afford Clerveaux this contentment.

In recent years, the Miami native hasn't been able to enjoy much of anything, including the Bulls' resurgence. First came the physical setbacks, followed by tragedy. In his first four years on campus, Clerveaux caught three passes and zero breaks.

"On the field you couldn't see it, but outside of football you could see it," said fellow fifth-year receiver Ryeshene Bronson, Clerveaux's best friend on the team. "It was very hard for him."

Hence the reason Clerveaux could barely suppress his jubilation in the wake of USF's 57-36 loss at Houston. On one of the season's more dismal days, Clerveaux had a career-high five receptions for 62 yards.

On Friday, he headed to Philadelphia-- where the Bulls (7-3, 3-3) face Temple this afternoon-- with 16 receptions on the year.

"My dad called me the other day saying he saw me catch some balls and stuff," Clerveaux said a few days after the Houston defeat. "He was just happy that I was out there playing. I'm just trying to keep a smile on my daddy's face and stuff."

The previous years had been equally unkind to Serge Clerveaux, a father of nine who cooks at a downtown Miami hotel. Nov. 9 marked the one-year anniversary of his wife's death from stroke and blood-pressure complications. Marie France Cherry, the stepmom who began raising Stanley when he was 7, was only 56.

"Stanley cried for her many times," Serge said in a Haitian accent thicker than his renowned spaghetti sauce. "Stanley loved, loved, loved his stepmother."

Grief was preceded by grimacing, lots of it.

A three-star prospect out of North Miami High, Clerveaux arrived in Tampa in 2014 as a sleeper recruit brimming with physical upside (6-foot-3). But before his first midterm, he tore his left labrum, requiring surgery and a redshirt season.

He was flashing his potential the following preseason when adversity broke his route again. Clerveaux ran a slant pattern on the Bulls' synthetic-turf practice field, where cornerback Mazzi Wilkins landed on him at the end of the play. He arose with a torn left ACL.

"After my knee surgery, that first two weeks was just hard," Clerveaux recalled.

"I called my momma crying, I called my daddy crying, I didn't want to be here. I really just wanted to go home, and Coach T (Willie Taggart)...called me to his office and just said don't worry about it, just keep working hard and stuff. But yeah, it was tough."

The setbacks stifled his development, banishing him to the depth chart's basement as Taggart continued fortifying his receiving corps. In 2016, his first healthy season, Clerveaux finished with one catch.

The following year, he had two, both in an early-season romp of Illinois. By then, his stepmother was in hospice care.

"Stan went into a shell," Bronson said. "He wasn't playing, so he was just like, wondering why all this crazy stuff was going on."

Pep talks from Bronson arrived almost daily. Former Bulls return specialist Lindsey Lamar, a special assistant to Coach Charlie Strong, also reached out regularly.

As a result, the roster outcast evolved into an outlier of sorts, spurning the emotional tug of returning home and forging onward. In March, Clerveaux, who has added 30 pounds (to 226) since arriving at USF, learned the NCAA had granted him a sixth season of eligibility.

A couple of months later, Clerveaux earned his criminology degree. He made his second career start in the season opener against Elon and had three catches, equaling his career total to that point.

He has started six more games since, following the five-reception effort at Houston with another career-best night (five catches, 50 yards) in the Bulls' 41-15 home loss to Tulane.

"He's kind of the old man of that group," Strong said.

"You look at him and it's nothing like, 'Wow, who is that guy out there?' But then he makes the catches. He does everything he's supposed to do, he can block. ... Of all our receivers, he's probably been the most consistent."

USF senior shooting guard Kitija Laksa, an All-America candidate and the Bulls' top scorer, will miss the remainder of the season with a torn right ACL sustained in Thursday's 88-39 romp of Bethune-Cookman.

The university didn't specify the injury, but confirmed Laksa will miss the rest of the season. The Tampa Bay Times learned Friday morning Laksa tore her ACL. She sustained the injury in the third quarter, landing awkwardly near the baseline after trying to catch a long pass in transition.

"This is obviously a very difficult blow for Kitija, who is one of the top players in the nation, and our team," USF coach Jose Fernandez said in a statement released by the school.

"I know with Kitija's will and determination, she will get through this and be back on the floor as a top-level player. It is very tough for our team to lose Kitija's ability and leadership on the floor, but we still have our goals ahead of us and we will continue to work to accomplish those."

The injury represents a crushing blow to the No. 21 Bulls' postseason aspirations. With Laksa, the program's No. 6 alltime scorer (1,764 points), best free-throw shooter and a 38.8-percent career 3-point specialist, USF seemed equipped for a run at the program's first Sweet 16 berth.

Now, they suddenly lack depth at wing, not to mention the outside scoring presence that can stretch a defense and free up the Bulls' assortment of post players.

Last December, she set an NCAA single-game record with 11 consecutive 3-pointers in a rout of Southern University. She also finished the season with the best free-throw percentage (111-for-115, 96.5) of all NCAA divisions, male or female.

Because she played in only three games, Laksa qualifies for a medical redshirt and fifth season of eligibility. But she may be more inclined to bypass another season of college and embark on a professional career.

USF's steely-eyed second-year football coach is navigating a meteorological maelstrom these days.

For the second weekend in a row, Charlie Strong is bracing his team for a road game in frigid weather, even as a mid-November depression swirls back home.

Strong is gonna be forced to shake up his staff. ... The school can't afford to pay him going forward. ... If he does stay, he'll have to renegotiate his deal.

With last weekend's 35-23 loss at Cincinnati, the Bulls (7-3, 3-3) were formally eliminated from American Athletic Conference title contention, the earliest they have been bounced since 2014.

A loss Saturday afternoon against Temple in south Philly would clinch the program's first four-game losing streak since Willie Taggart's woeful inaugural season a half-decade ago. Penalties and poor tackling have become chronic; the Bulls' lack of size and seasoning at critical spots have been exploited.

In other news, Lee Corso and Co. are camping out at UCF this weekend. Clearly, the Bulls can't afford to stay down this road.

But they can afford Strong for next season, despite the clamor you may be hearing to the contrary.

Upon hiring Strong in December 2016, shortly after his dismissal from Texas, USF administrators designed his deal so he'd still receive $9 million of the $10 million the Longhorns owed him for 2017 and '18.

As a result, the Bulls had to pay him only $1 million ($500,000 base salary, $500,000 in other compensation) the first two years.

But starting in 2019, Texas' financial obligation to Strong ceases, and his USF salary jumps to $2.5 million.

And while the athletic program isn't exactly swimming in money (the men's basketball team flew commercial out of Orlando for this week's Jamaica Classic), it can afford to pay Strong.

The designers of the deal, including former athletic director Mark Harlan, drew it up with eyes wide open, presuming Strong would be around in Year 3.

But few could've presumed in Year 2, a hearty chunk of the fan base would have graduated from disillusioned to disgusted.

"Frustration continues to build," Strong said Monday.

All of which calls for a collective deep breath, and an exhortation to step away from the steaming pile of speculation.

In the wake of consecutive seasons of double-digit victories, Bulls fans are rightfully disappointed with 7-3, not to mention USF's bleak bowl prospects. And Strong's recent suggestion that the Bulls lack depth comes off as flimsy, particularly considering how effectively Strong and Taggart recruited in recent years.

Additionally, his steady refrain of the Bulls not being ready to play in a given week falls on he and his staff. Such matters must, and will, be addressed.

Harlan's successor, Michael Kelly, will sit down with Strong at season's end-- as he intends to do annually with all of his head coaches-- to mutually evaluate the program and discuss improvements going forward.

With the season's bustle behind them, they'll go over the ebbs and flows of 2018: the youth, the injuries, the defensive frailties (121st in Division I-A against the run), the offensive inconsistency (34 total second-half points in the last three games).

Kelly might seek assurance that 2018 was a hiccup and not a harbinger. Suggestions may be floated, short-term goals may be established.

Then, if Strong believes a staff shakeup is needed, Strong himself will make the call. And the Bulls will begin working in earnest toward 2019, when he'll still be calling the shots.

Granted, a possible six-game skid to end the season is terrible optics, but the mere notion of canning a coach with 17 wins in two years is even worse.

Of the 31 Division I-A coaches fired or forced out in the last two years, only five were dismissed after posting winning records in their last season. And three of those (Baylor's Art Briles, Minnesota's Tracy Claeys, Arizona's Rich Rodriguez) were dismissed for incidents connected to allegations of sexual assault or harassment.

Tampa isn't Tuscaloosa; there are graduate students still walking USF's campus who would've relinquished their parking pass for a 7-6 record as freshmen. The current skid, and all the speculation accompanying it, is just a storm the Bulls must weather.

USF's athletic program posted an overall 84-percent graduation success rate (GSR) in the latest Division I data released Wednesday by the NCAA, the fifth consecutive year the Bulls have scored 82 percent or better.

The 84-percent rate represents all Bulls scholarship student-athletes over a six-year period, starting with freshmen that entered college in the 2011-12 academic year. It's a 2-percent increase from last year, and 2 percent shy of the program record set in 2016.

"I am very proud that USF student-athletes continue to perform at a very high level in the classroom," USF vice-president of athletics Michael Kelly said in a statement released by the university.

"It is a testament to their hard work, the culture and commitment established by our coaches and the excellent support services provided by our academic-services staff."

The GSR is designed to show the proportion of student-athletes graduating within a six-year window, accounting for student-athletes who transfer in, and those who leave in good standing.

The football team posted a 76, second-highest score in program history behind the 82 percent posted in 2016. Women's basketball was at 92 percent, the sixth time in the last seven years it has eclipsed 90.

Men's basketball, which has endured the most roster turnover of any program on campus, had a 60 GSR, a 3-percent uptick from last year.

By comparison, UCF had an overall GSR of 89 percent (87 in football). Florida, FSU and Miami had overall GSR scores of 85, 82 and 90 percent, respectively.

The breakdown: The Owls' embarrassing season-opening losses to Villanova and Buffalo seem like a half-decade ago. Today, they're arguably the second-best team in the AAC, and remain in contention for the East crown. Collins' starting lineup will barely resemble the one he used in last year's embarrassing 43-7 loss to the Bulls, but that hardly connotes a youth overhaul. To the contrary, 14 upperclassmen and six redshirt sophomores started at Houston last week. Offensively, Temple likely will attempt to assert itself on the ground behind senior Ryquell Armstead (978 yards, 12 touchdowns, 5.5 ypc), who ran for 210 yards and an AAC-record six TDs at Houston. Evidently back to full strength after a midseason ankle injury, Armstead has provided the perfect complement to redshirt sophomore QB Anthony Russo (2,071 passing yards, 13 TDs, 12 INTs). A Rutgers transfer, Russo is 6-2 as Owls starter since replacing Frank Nutile three games into the season. Russo's top target, 6-foot-3 Jefferson High alumnus Ventell Bryant (42 catches, 565 yards, three TDs), became the Owls' career receiving yardage leader (2,319) with seven catches for 61 yards at Houston. Defensively, the Owls lead the nation with five defensive TDs, and have gained 17 turnovers. Temple boasts an imposing four-man front that has created steady QB pressure all year (2.6 sacks per game), leading to effective coverage by its veteran secondary. Temple ranks third in the league in passing yards allowed (181.4) and second in pass-efficiency defense (107.1). Watch for 6-3, 280-pound DT Michael Dogbe, a graduate student with seven sacks and 11.5 tackles for loss.

Odds-&amp; ends: The Owls rank last in the AAC in penalty yards per game (76.5), a whisker above USF (76.3). ... Though it scored on all eight of its red-zone possessions at Houston, Temple was only 24-for-34 in the red zone entering that game. ... In addition to Bryant, the Owls roster also features former Plant City High star Jyquis Thomas, a graduate student who logs some reps at safety.

Audible: "If we win this game, we've got to go stop the run, 'cause they're gonna run the football, and they showed it last week. ... They're gonna will you, they're gonna run the ball, they're gonna try to knock you off the football. And defensively, they're gonna run around and they're gonna move enough people around where they can put pressure on your quarterback."-- USF coach Charlie Strong

Junior point guard Laquincy Rideau, who hit only two of his first eight free throws, sank a pair with 2.7 seconds remaining to seal things. For the game, USF went 21-for-41 from the stripe.

Guard T.J. Lang's put-back of David Collins' missed jumper gave USF a 71-67 lead with 49 seconds to go in overtime, and Rideau hit one of two free throws 22 seconds later to make it a five-point game.

USF led by 11 with 11:29 to go, but Austin Peay answered with a 17-9 run. The Governors tied the score at 55-all when 7-foot-2 Bulls senior Nik Scekic was whistled for a foul and ensuing technical, resulting in three Governors free throws.

A Zach Glotta 3-pointer gave the guests a 58-55 lead, but USF clawed back, forcing overtime when sophomore Justin Brown hit two free throws with four-tenths of a second to play. The Governors had taken a 63-61 lead on Jarrett Givens' 3-pointer with eight seconds remaining.

Rideau led a balanced Bulls scoring effort with 17 points. USF shot 50 percent from the floor (13-for-26) in the second half after finishing 8-for-28 in the first.

Twenty-two of its second-half points came inside as Rideau and Collins (15 points) got consistent dribble penetration. For the game, the Bulls finished with a 38-16 advantage in points in the paint. LSU transfer Mayan Kiir had 11 points and six rebounds, while 7-foot freshman Michael Durr had 11 boards.

"What can you say?" Gregory said. "I mean, we played hard, we played with great energy and intensity, we played physical, and Austin Peay matched us every step of the way."

Two days after his team's third consecutive defeat, USF coach Charlie Strong offered his most candid assessment yet of the Bulls' maligned run defense.

It's simply not big enough. Specifically, Strong noted the Bulls (7-3, 3-3 American Athletic Conference) lack the prerequisite girth on the defensive interior and at middle linebacker, where they also are lean on experience and depth, respectively.

"When you get good on the defensive front and you have a solid team, those guys are at 295, 300, 305 (pounds)," said Strong, whose unit ranks 121st nationally against the run (247.2 ypg).

"Right now you're playing those guys who are 270, 280. When you play against a fifth-year senior and he's 300-plus, they're gonna move you outta there, and that's what's happening a lot of times with our runs. We get overpowered inside because you're not big enough."

Strong's comments seem to validate those who remain convinced interior behemoths Deadrin Senat and Bruce Hector-- both now employed by NFL teams-- are missed more than any of last year's seniors.

Of the six defensive tackles on USF's three-deep chart, sophomore Kelvin Pinkney (6-foot-3, 288 pounds) is the biggest. Three weigh 266 or less. By contrast, Senat and Hector were listed last season at 305 and 296, respectively.

Meantime, the three middle linebackers on USF's depth chart are listed at 226 (Nico Sawtelle), 212 (Keirston Johnson) and 210 (Antonio Grier). Four-year startingn MLB Auggie Sanchez, who graduated last year as the program's career tackles leader, was listed at 245.

"Auggie was big, and Auggie could sit down and he could take on people," Strong said.

"Sawtelle...and (WLB Khalid) McGee, those two guys are more runners. ... If you get (offensive) linemen to the second level, then they can cover 'em up because they're little. So they cover 'em up, they can't find the football, and that's the issue that we have."

Barnett still questionable

"If we get him back, he's gonna be the guy who's gonna go and practice," Strong said.

If not, Strong said redshirt sophomore Chris Oladokun or fourth-year junior Brett Kean will start this Saturday's noon game at Temple. Oladokun started at Cincinnati before being relieved by Kean to open the second quarter, but returned and played the entire second half. They combined to finish 14-for-32 for 232 yards, three touchdowns and no interceptions.

Can't go deep

Whether it was an indictment of Willie Taggart's final recruiting classes-- or his own-- is up for interpretation, but Strong said Monday his current roster doesn't possess the necessary depth to compensate for the injuries it has sustained.

"We're not good enough to lose a player and replace a player," he said. "Just say when (Randall) St. Felix went down (at receiver), we don't have enough depth yet where you can take St. Felix off the field and replace him."

A reason for this issue, Strong said, is the succession of close games the Bulls have played, which hasn't allowed the staff to give quality reps to less-experienced players. In seven of its 10 games, USF has trailed or been tied entering the fourth quarter.

"You usually find games early where you blow teams out," he said. "So when you blow teams out, you can take guys and sit 'em down and rest 'em. But we haven't been able to do it because every game has been a game for us."

Odds and ends

TV has exercised its six-day option for the Bulls' home showdown with UCF on Nov. 23, so kickoff time won't be revealed until next weekend. USF athletic director Michael Kelly has said he has been assured the game won't kick off at night. ... The short-term prognosis for Sawtelle, out the last four games with a shoulder injury, doesn't sound promising. "Right now, we're going through a lot of tests with him," Strong said. "So I don't know if he will return this season, but we're hoping that we will get him maybe for another game." ... RB Jordan Cronkrite needs only 18 rushing yards at Temple to become the fifth 1,000-yard rusher in program history. ... The Bulls, penalized 18 times for 171 yards in the last two games, now ranks 121st nationally in penalty yards per contest (76.3).

CINCINNATI - Bulls fourth-year junior TE Mitch Wilcox, who missed last week's game against Tulane with an ankle injury, returned with a bang.

Not to mention a record or two. Or three.

The Tarpon Springs alumnus had seven catches for 90 yards, including a 38-yard touchdown. That yardage gives him 904 for his career, breaking the USF all-time mark for a tight end held by Sean Price (897).

Additionally, Wilcox has 468 yards for the season, eclipsing USF's single-season mark for a tight end (390) set by Trevor Hypolite in 1997.

Hypolite also owned the single-season mark for receptions by a tight end with 34. Wilcox now is the leader, with 35 for the year.

"It killed me not being able to help my team last week," said Wilcox, named to the watch list for Mackey Award (presented to the nation's top tight end) in the preseason. "I just tried to do as much as I can and make plays when my number's called this week."

Cold, hard fact

In clear defiance of nature and conventional prudence, more than a dozen USF players trotted onto the field at Nippert Stadium shirtless for pregame warmups.

Unbeknownst to them at the time, they were running bare-chested into school history.

The kickoff temperature was 28 degrees, the coldest in USF's 21-plus seasons of existence. The previous record was 29, established in a 13-7 loss at West Virginia on Dec. 6, 2008.

"You talk about the weather all week, and we knew how cold it was gonna be, and mentally that wasn't a block for us at all," QB Chris Oladokun said.

"Coach (Charlie Strong) said that on Sunday, I believe. He told us we're coming out with the shirts off, we're setting the tone."

USF is now 1-6 in cold-weather games (40 degrees or below at kickoff). Its only win in such conditions: 48-37 at Pittsburgh on Nov. 24, 2007.

Odds and ends

Senior WR Ryeshene Bronson's 72-yard first-quarter touchdown reception was his first since 2016. He missed all of last season with a broken collarbone sustained in the preseason. His four career scoring catches have covered 75, 73, 72 and 42 yards. ... Referee Charles Lamertina committed the cardinal sin (at least by bay area standards) of twice referring to the Bulls as "UCF" during the pregame coin toss. ... Former USF three-year starting QB Quinton Flowers, who owns at least 42 school records, attended the game and spent roughly three hours with the Bulls at their team hotel Friday night. Flowers is a member of the Bengals' practice squad. ... USF now is 11-24 all-time against ranked opponents and 4-12 on the road. Its last win against a ranked foe was its 23-20 victory at No. 16 Notre Dame on Sept. 3, 2011. ... Senior DB Ronnie Hoggins had a career-best 13 tackles. ... DE Juwuan Brown, a Jefferson High alumnus, registered his fourth sack of the season.

CINCINNATI - On a frigid night when adversity's biting gusts could have chilled USF to the bone, at least credit the Bulls for not shivering.

With starting quarterback Blake Barnett (shoulder soreness) not suited up, the kickoff temperature (28 degrees) the lowest ever registered in a USF game, and the Bulls riding a two-game skid, Saturday's matchup with No. 25 Cincinnati came with a mostly grim forecast.

USF answered with a mostly gritty performance. Alas, the Bulls were unable to conquer the collection of elements (natural and otherwise) as Cincy rallied in the second half for a 35-23 triumph before an announced Nippert Stadium crowd of 29,310.

"The guys played well the first half, then did not put it together in the second half," said Bulls coach Charlie Strong, whose team went to halftime with a 16-14 lead.

"We can't give up three scores in the third quarter, especially when you're on the road. And you've got to be able to sustain drives there on offense, which we weren't able to do."

The loss officially eliminates USF (7-3, 3-3) from contention in the American Athletic Conference's East Division and saddles the program with its first three-game losing streak since 2015.

But the Bulls provided periodic hope on a night that didn't begin with much.

Third-year sophomore Chris Oladokun, a Sickles High alumnus with five passing attempts this season, started in Barnett's place and combined with fourth-year junior Brett Kean to go 8-for-18 for 155 yards in the first half.

"We just kept watching (Barnett) during the week of practice and just figured he'd get better," Strong said. "And then by Friday we had to make a decision."

Oladokun played the entire second half, finishing with respectable passing numbers (10-for-22, 165 yards, two touchdowns) in his first career start. With Cincinnati consistently loading the box, Strong said they stuck with Oladokun because of his running ability.

"We thought maybe with the pressure they were bringing we could outrun them," he said.

But that never materialized for USF, which finished with nearly as many penalty yards (80) as rushing yards (81). It was the first time the Bulls have been held to fewer than 100 rushing yards this season.

"You've got to play physical at the point of attack," Strong said, "and we didn't play physical at all."

But an evening that ended with a swoon commenced with a spark.

Oladokun's first pass of the night was a downfield fling to senior Ryeshene Bronson, running on a streak route to the right side. Bronson, in single coverage, snagged the pass with his left hand and broke free for a 72-yard touchdown. Coby Weiss' point-after attempt was blocked.

"We knew we were gonna get a one-high look from them pretty much all night," Oladokun said. "So 'Shene just being one of those athletic dudes, made a great play for me and took it the distance."

Kean entered in the second quarter, and promptly completed three consecutive passes to tight end Mitch Wilcox, the third for a 38-yard touchdown in which Wilcox managed to get past his defender.

"We were betting on our guys calling that play," Wilcox said. "And he was just grabbing, trying to hold on to me for dear life."

Meantime, the Bulls' maligned defense held Cincinnati to 164 yards in the first half. The Bearcats' two first-half touchdowns, in fact, came when the Bulls twice gave them a short field.

But on Cincinnati's first possession of the second half, tailback Michael Warren II bounced outside on third and 1, broke a tackle at the line of scrimmage and dashed for a 57-yard touchdown.

A critical special-teams blunder-- on a night rife with them-- followed, when veteran Chris Barr was flagged for catching interference on a Bulls punt. A pass-interference penalty on Mike Hampton followed. Four plays later, Warren scored from 1 yard as a wildcat QB, giving the hosts a 28-16 lead.

The Bulls answered with a 10-play, 73-yard drive. A 2-yard surge by Jordan Cronkrite on fourth and 2 at the Bearcats 25 was followed by Oladokun's touchdown strike to Tyre McCants in the left corner of the end zone the next play.

Cincinnati answered with a four-play, 77-yard touchdown drive, capped by Warren's 1-yard scoring run. Warren finished with 151 yards and three touchdowns on 28 carries, eclipsing the 1,000-yard mark for the season in the process.

By contrast, the Bulls' offense wasn't nearly as steady. Eight of its last nine drives ended with punts.

"I thought (Oladokun) played well, we've just got to catch the football," Strong said. "We had way too many drops by our wide receivers."

We probably should have seen the Blake Barnett injury coming. Never bashful about tucking the ball on a zone read or designed run, Barnett had 90 carries through his first nine games (26 more than second-leading rusher Johnny Ford). On some of those runs, the dude had been nailed or taken down hard.

With three losses (and possibly two more coming), we can't envision USF leaving Florida for the bowl season. At this rate, the Gasparilla Bowl (Dec. 20 at Raymond James Stadium) seems the most plausible destination.

One can debate all day about whether the mounting criticism of Charlie Strong and his staff (who have a young, injury-maligned team) is warranted. But the fact is, Strong is 3-5 at USF in games played after Oct. 25.

CINCINNATI - USF junior QB Blake Barnett, who won the No. 1 job in August and has started the first nine games, is battling shoulder soreness and isn't suited up for tonight's game at Cincinnati.

Barnett's injury was first reported by longtime Bulls radio play-by-play man Jim Louk on the team's official broadcast earlier this evening. Either redshirt sophomore Chris Oladokun or fourth-year junior Brett Kean is expected to start; freshman Jordan McCloud-- a Plant High alumnus-- also is suited up. The 7- p.m. game can be seen on ESPNU.

Barnett sustained the injury in last week's 41-15 loss to Tulane, when he ran a season-high 16 times for 59 yards and a touchdown. He entered the weekend ranked third in the American Athletic Conference in total offense (301.8 ypg) and third in passing yardage (267.8 ypg).

Kean and Oladokun have combined 62 passing and 29 rushing yards this season.

In other injury news, WR Randall St. Felix, who has missed the last two games with a knee injury, is suited up. So is TE Mitch Wilcox, who missed the Tulane game with an injured ankle.

Three USF players scored in double figures, while two others rebounded in double figures, as the No. 22 Bulls (2-0) rolled past Albany 74-37 in their home debut Friday before an announced Yuengling Center crowd of 2,269.

Senior wing Laura Ferreira led all scorers with 21 points, finishing three shy of her career high. Six-foot-1 junior Alyssa Rader and 6-1 junior Tamara Henshaw collected 12 and 11 boards, respectively. No Bull played more than 31 minutes as 10 different players scored.

"We've got a lot of talent on this team, and some guys are not gonna play the minutes they have in the past," Coach Jose Fernandez said on USF's official radio broadcast. "We've got a lot more weapons."

USF finished with a 52-29 rebounding advantage. Rader has collected 12 boards in both her team's games.

"She just assaults the glass on both ends of the floor," Fernandez said.

TAMPA-- Dissension was percolating on this unseasonably warm December morning. A team in transition appeared on the verge of coming totally undone.

The full-padded scrimmage period, closing out USF's final on-campus practice before the 2016 Birmingham Bowl, was intensifying. By this point, Willie Taggart already had bolted for Oregon and Charlie Strong-- hired as his replacement-- hadn't yet arrived. Receivers coach T.J. Weist was running the team.

And the team was running off the rails. At least on this particular day.

Two players began shoving each other. Another was ordered off the field. Then another mini-skirmish ensued. At that point, reporters were asked to leave the practice area, but not far enough to where they couldn't hear junior middle linebacker Auggie Sanchez light into the teammates huddled around him at midfield.

To paraphrase, Sanchez told his peers-- in clear, colorful language-- it had no chance against South Carolina if such nonsense continued.

USF defeated the Gamecocks in overtime, 46-39. Sanchez tied for the team lead that frigid day with nine tackles.

"I can remember when I took the job here and I went to the Birmingham Bowl," Strong recalled, "and I can remember Auggie was a junior and Q (Quinton Flowers) was a junior, and we had some seniors on that team, and (Sanchez and Flowers) did all the talking.

"It was kind of different for me, the first time hearing juniors talk like that and lead the team."

What Strong wouldn't give to have a similar voice on his current squad, one that can step forward in a rough stretch and command a rapt audience. A guy not afraid to jump in some grills when a red-zone possession dissolves in a sea of penalties, or to stoke the defense after it surrenders a 73-yard touchdown run.

That voice hasn't materialized.

"We don't have a bell cow to kind of lead us," second-year defensive coordinator Brian Jean-Mary said. "And it's nothing against our guys, and it's not an excuse, it's just not the nature of the team this year."

As a result, the unranked Bulls (7-2, 3-2) seem somewhat rudderless as they prepare to navigate the most perilous stretch of the season. Only six to eight seniors have been starting regularly this year, and of that handful, none are really wired-- or accustomed-- to speaking out when the situation warrants.

"I think each position group has one guy that is that vocal point of that position, whether it be receiver, running back, quarterback, and so on. You just won't be able to, I guess, just point to like, 'Oh there he is.'"

Yet in previous years, pointing out the veteran presences and dominant personalities was easy.

Sanchez, Flowers, nickel back Deatrick Nichols, safety Devin Abraham, nose tackle Deadrin Senat and even kicker Emilio Nadelman all finished their careers with 35 or more starts. By their junior years, most of those guys already had assumed leadership roles.

"Those guys had a total different mentality than this group of guys," Strong said. "Q was gonna do something like, 'Hey, it's third down, I'm gonna go get the first down. If the guy isn't open I'm gonna pull it and I'm gonna go move around and there's gonna be a first down.'"

By contrast, the Bulls' lineup in Saturday's 41-15 loss to Tulane featured 13 first-year starters. Of the seven seniors who started, only five had been regular starters before this season.

"So now all of the sudden, just say you're a senior and you're talking to me and I'm a junior, but you're just starting for the first time and I'm a junior and I've played a lot," Strong said. "So I'm looking at you like, 'Hey, we're equal.'

"Whereas with that group last year, they knew who the guys were, and they knew who led the team. And they knew when those guys spoke, everybody's gonna listen and everybody else get out of the way."

Alas, this team's issues transcend leadership. Tackling and gap integrity remain glaring concerns (USF ranks 123rd nationally in run defense), and the Bulls' 77.8 penalty yards a game ranks last in the American Athletic Conference.

Three different times during his weekly press conference Monday, Strong said he wasn't making excuses for the Bulls' ghastly two-game skid. Moreover, Strong has said if effective voices aren't emerging in his locker room, it's on the coaches to assume that role.

But a coach's voice can lose resonance over the grueling course of a summer and fall. Sometimes, players need a kick in the pants from a veteran peer.

"We're all different, we all lead in different ways, and we do our best to lead the team," said defensive end Josh Black, a senior starting for the first time this season.

"The last two weeks just wasn't us, so the seniors this year, we've just got to show them that we still have those guys that can lead this team in the right direction."

Contact Joey Knight at jknight@tampabay.com. Follow @TBTimes_Bulls

A loss of leaders

A look at the veteran presence of USF's current team to the one that prevailed in last season's Birmingham Bowl.

As a response to high demand, seating in the west upper deck of Raymond James Stadium will be available for USF's Nov. 23 showdown against cross-state rival UCF, vice-president of athletics Michael Kelly has confirmed.

The upper deck typically is closed for USF home contests, which has drawn an average announced crowd of 34,695 through five home games this season. But the school announced Thursday that only "700 prime seats" remain in various "dynamically-priced lower bowl sections."

"With ticket demand for the game continuing to build and remaining lower-bowl seating inventory shrinking daily, we felt it was time to open tickets sales in the 300 level," Kelly said in a statement released by USF. "We anticipate tickets moving quickly and a tremendous atmosphere in Raymond James Stadium on game day."

Kickoff time for the Black Friday game hasn't been announced, but it's almost certain to be broadcast nationally after the Bulls and Knights staged one of the most exciting games of the 2017 season last November in Orlando. UCF's 49-42 triumph delivered ABC's third-highest audience for a 3:30 p.m. Black Friday game dating to 2002.

Upper deck tickets are priced between $29-$59, and can be purchased by calling 1-800-Go-Bulls, visiting www.USFBullsTix.com or in-person at the USF Ticket Office (Lee Roy Selmon Athletic Center) Monday through Friday between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m.

Cincinnati made the biggest jump of the week, moving up three spots to No. 2 in the American Athletic Conference power rankings.

The Bearcats host struggling USF before a Nov. 17 East Division showdown at unbeaten UCF. In the West, Houston holds a one-game lead over SMU and Tulane.

Here is how the league stacks up, according to power rankings compiled by reporters from every conference school, heading into Week 11:

1. UCFPrevious ranking: 1 | Points: 144Record: 8-0 (5-0 AAC)Last week: defeated Temple, 52-40This week: vs. NavyTrajectory: Steady. QB McKenzie Milton returned to the lineup after a one-game absence (due to injury) to score four touchdowns as UCF extended its nation-leading winning streak to 21 games. RB Greg McCrae, a former walk-on, had a career night with 188 rushing yards.Did you know? UCF also extended its streak of scoring 30 or more points to 21 games. The 52 points against the Owls was the fifth time the Knights have scored 40 or more points this season.--Matt Murschel, Orlando Sentinel

2. CincinnatiPrevious ranking: 5 | Points: 126Record: 8-1 (4-1)Last week: defeated Navy, 42-0This week: vs. USFTrajectory: Surging. The Bearcats surprised Navy with a 4-4 defensive front and held the Midshipmen's triple-option offense to 124 yards rushing, a season low. UC RB Michael Warren II rushed for 68 yards and two TDs. QB Desmond Ridder threw for 178 yards and a TD, and rushed for 66 yards and a TD.Did you know? UC's eight wins are its most in the regular season since 2014, when the Bearcats went 9-3.--Tom Groeschen, Cincinnati Enquirer

3. HoustonPrevious ranking: 2 | Points: 115Record: 7-2 (4-1)Last week: lost to SMU, 45-31Next game: vs. TempleTrajectory: Skidding. Houston could not avoid a trap game as one of the nation's top offenses was held to season-lows for points (31) and yards (365) against SMU. With three weeks left, the Cougars still control their destiny in the West. All-America DT Ed Oliver is on track to return this week after missing two games with a bruised right knee.Did you know? Houston is 6-0 all-time against Temple, with one of the victories coming in the 2015 AAC championship Game.--Joseph Duarte, Houston Chronicle

4. TemplePrevious ranking: 3 | Points: 109Record: 5-4 (4-1)Last week: lost to UCF, 52-40Next game: at HoustonTrajectory: Skidding. Temple's defense, which was supposed to be its calling card, allowed more than 300 yards rushing and passing in the loss to UCF. Anthony Russo threw for 444 yards, four TDs and scored on a 5-yard run off a fake field goal. The Owls are banged up with C Matt Hennessy, WR Randle Jones and RB Ryquell Armstead unable to finish the game at UCF.Did you know? In the loss at UCF, Temple broke the record for total offense in program history with 670 yards. The previous record was 622 yards set in 1974 against Southern Illinois.--Marc Narducci, Philadelphia Inquirer/Daily News

5. SMUPrevious ranking: 6 | Points: 94Record: 4-5 (3-2)Last week: defeated Houston, 45-31This week: at ConnecticutTrajectory: Surging. Ben Hicks threw for 318 yards and four TDs to lead the Mustangs over then-ranked Houston for the second time in three years. Suddenly, SMU has a legitimate shot to reach bowl eligibility for the second year in a row with remaining games against UConn, Memphis and Tulsa.Did you know? SMU is 0-18 against other top-25 programs in the past seven years.--Joseph Duarte, Houston Chronicle

6. USFPrevious ranking: 4 | Points: 84Record: 7-2 (3-2)Last week: lost to Tulane, 41-15This week: at CincinnatiTrajectory: Skidding. After seven consecutive victories against mostly feeble opposition, the Bulls now appear to be a rudderless team. Following their loss to Tulane, in which they gave up 34 unanswered points, Coach Charlie Strong said the Bulls "didn't play hard at all" and are lacking leadership. With games against Cincinnati, Temple and UCF remaining, a 7-5 finish is very conceivable.Did you know? The 98 points allowed by USF in consecutive losses to Houston and Tulane are the most surrendered in a two-game stretch in program history.--Joey Knight, Tampa Bay Times

7. TulanePrevious ranking: 8 | Points: 78Record: 4-5 (3-2)Last week: defeated USF, 41-15This week: vs. East CarolinaTrajectory: Surging. Tulane had its most lopsided conference road win this century, spotting USF a field goal before scoring 34 consecutive points to take total control while rushing for 368 yards. If the Green Wave beats ECU for homecoming, it will have realistic hopes of winning the West.Did you know? Tulane is seeking its second above-.500 conference finish in the last 20 years.--Guerry Smith, The New Orleans Advocate

8. MemphisPrevious ranking: 7 | Points: 65Record: 5-4 (2-3)Last week: defeated East Carolina, 59-41This week: vs. TulsaTrajectory: Steady. Memphis came out firing after the bye week and finally got its first road win of the season. Damonte Coxie had a career day (10 receptions, 172 yards, two TDs), Brady White had his best road performance (21-for-30, 362 yards, three TDs) and Darrell Henderson returned healthy with 204 all-purpose yards and three TDs. Now the Tigers prepare for their last Saturday game of the regular season.Did you know? Memphis is one win shy of being bowl eligible for five straight seasons, extending a school record.--Evan Barnes, The Commercial Appeal

9. NavyPrevious ranking: 9 | Points: 40Record: 2-7 (1-4)Last week: lost to Cincinnati, 42-0This week: at UCFTrajectory: Skidding. Navy hit rock bottom with a lifeless 42-0 loss at Cincinnati. The Midshipmen were never in this game, falling behind 28-0 at halftime. Another quarterback change did nothing to spark the struggling offense. Zach Abey, the starter for most of last season, replaced Garret Lewis at the helm. This latest setback, Navy's sixth in a row, assures a losing season.Did you know? Navy was shut out for the first time since losing to San Jose State, 12-0, in 2012. The Mids were shut out in the first half in consecutive contests for the first time since 1993.--Bill Wagner, Baltimore Sun Media Group

10. TulsaPrevious ranking: 11 | Points: 37Record: 2-7 (1-4)Last week: defeated Connecticut, 49-19This week: at MemphisTrajectory: Surging. After repeated fourth-quarter meltdowns, the Hurricane built a large-enough lead Saturday to play reserves in the final period. Against the worst defense in the country, Tulsa racked up a season-high 638 yards including 470 on the ground.Did you know? Sophomore running backs Shamari Brooks and Corey Taylor II have combined for 11 career games with at least 100 rushing yards.--Kelly Hines, Tulsa World

11. East CarolinaPrevious ranking: 10 | Points: 32Record: 2-6 (0-5)Last week: lost to Memphis, 59-41This week: at TulaneTrajectory: Steady. Plug in Tulane as the latest double-digit favorite over the Pirates, who are on a four-game losing streak and will have to pull at least one road upset during their final four games to finish better than 3-9. ECU is still looking for the confidence and right formula for that to happen.Did you know? Third-year coach Scottie Montgomery is now 3-18 in AAC games, with 16 of those losses by double digits.--Ronnie Woodward, Greenville (N.C.) Daily Reflector

12. ConnecticutPrevious ranking: 12 | Points: 12Record: 1-8 (0-5)Last week: lost to Tulsa, 49-19This week: vs. SMUTrajectory: Skidding. At this point, what more is there to say? After losing by 30 points to another one-win team, UConn stands as not only the clear-cut worst team in the American, but also one of the worst teams in the country.Did you know? The Huskies have lost six games this season by at least 30 points.--Alex Putterman, Hartford Courant

If the nation's pundits and prognosticators are accurate, USF won't be leaving the state-- and perhaps not even the city-- this bowl season.

We rounded up the latest bowl projections of 10 college football news outlets, and all 10 forecast the Bulls to play their bowl game in Florida. Six project them to play in the Bad Boy Mowers Gasparilla Bowl at Raymond James Stadium.

The Gasparilla Bowl, held last season at Tropicana Field, moves to Raymond James Stadium this year. Kickoff for the Dec. 20 game is 8 p.m.

TAMPA-- For a few tense moments Tuesday, a would-be historic night seemed on the verge of becoming a humiliating one for USF's men.

In their 2018-19 debut, the Bulls found themselves trailing Southwestern Athletic Conference bottom-feeder Alabama A&M early in the second half before pulling away for an 80-63 triumph.

The contest, before an announced crowd of 2,213, was the first regular season basketball game since the Bulls' arena was re-branded as the Yuengling Center. USF, which experienced a roster overhaul for the second year in a row, returns only three players who appeared in a game last season.

For most of the night, it looked every bit like a team in transition.

"Over time, our chemistry is gonna get better," said guard T.J. Lang, an Auburn transfer who sat out last season.

"It's a point of emphasis in every practice that we have to take care of the ball. I mean, we scored 80 points and had 20 turnovers, so that was 20 empty possessions that we could've possibly gotten to 100."

Facing a team that finished 3-28 last season, the Bulls began crisply, starting 5-for-9 from 3-point range and taking a 22-8 lead when 7-foot-2 senior Nikola Scekic stepped out for a trey. But a cooling-off spell coincided with a rash of turnovers, resulting in a 13-5 Bulldogs run that trimmed USF's lead to 34-31 by halftime.

The Bulldogs, 3-28 last season, took a 41-40 lead on a layup with 16:27 remaining before Lang responded with a 3-pointer to spark a 7-0 run.

Justin Brown, among the trio of returners, ignited the next surge. His 3-pointer with 13:22 to play gave USF a 50-44 lead, and his alley-oop to 6-9 sophomore Mayan Kiir for a dunk pushed the advantage to 54-44.

The Bulls' lead never dipped below seven points the rest of the way. They shot 69.2 percent (18-for-26) in the second half while making a concerted effort to go inside. Brown finished with 16. Classmate David Collins, the team's top returning scorer, led USF with 17.

"I thought our guys responded to some adverse situations pretty well tonight," second-year coach Brian Gregory said. "Which is good, because the only way to get better in those situations is to go through 'em...and we've never as a collective unit been through any tough times. "